The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, has called on law enforcement leaders across the world to ensure that technological innovation strengthens public trust, transparency and respect for human rights, stressing that advances in policing should never come at the expense of public confidence.
Disu made the call on Wednesday while addressing the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2026) on Innovation and New Technologies in UN Policing held at the United Nations Headquarters.
Speaking during a session on the future of technology-driven policing, the IGP warned that while innovation continues to reshape law enforcement, public trust remains the foundation of every credible police institution.
“Technology can enhance policing, but it can never replace public trust. The legitimacy of every police institution rests on the confidence of the people it serves,” he said.
Disu noted that technological advancement would continue to transform policing globally, but emphasised that trust would remain the defining pillar of effective law enforcement.
“Together, through responsible innovation and visionary leadership, we can build policing institutions that are not only smarter but more trusted, more inclusive and better equipped to secure a peaceful world,” he added.
The IGP said the Nigeria Police Force, which serves a population of over 230 million people, is undergoing rapid digital transformation, describing innovation as “no longer a choice” but “an operational necessity.”
He observed that criminal networks are increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence, encrypted communication platforms and cyber-enabled fraud to conduct sophisticated cross-border operations, posing significant challenges to conventional policing methods.
“Criminal networks now exploit artificial intelligence, encrypted communication and cyber-enabled fraud to operate across borders with high sophistication. This challenges traditional policing models and forces us to rethink how we protect vulnerable communities,” Disu stated.
He, however, pointed out that the same technologies being exploited by criminal elements also present significant opportunities for law enforcement agencies, noting that artificial intelligence, digital forensics and geospatial intelligence are transforming threat detection and criminal investigations.
The police chief stressed that innovation must reinforce transparency, accountability and respect for human rights rather than undermine democratic policing principles.
Disu further reaffirmed that the future of United Nations policing depends on ensuring that technological innovation benefits all nations, irrespective of their level of development, while reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in promoting global peace, security and the rule of law through responsible technological innovation.
The Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit attracted 145 delegations comprising ministers, inspectors-general of police, chiefs of police, and senior representatives of regional and professional policing organisations, marking the highest level of participation since the summit’s inception.
The summit focused on the future of United Nations policing, innovation, emerging technologies and enhanced international cooperation in addressing evolving transnational security challenges.
(NAN)
